Is there an application process for the Film Scoring Summer Program?

No, spots are awarded on a first-come first-served basis. All deposits made are in agreement with the Participation Terms and Conditions above. (FAQ #2)

Do I need a Visa to participate in the Film Scoring Summer Program?

Most of the time, no - students can come to Bulgaria for the duration of the course on a travel Visa with no problem. However, there are some countries that Bulgaria requires travelers have a Visa prior to entrance, so you'll need to determine if you are from one of those countries. Need help? Let us know!

What does my tuition cover?

Your tuition covers all of your hotel expenses (including breakfast and wifi) for the duration of your stay, all of your recording sessions, your HD video footage of your sessions, as well as all classes and seminars at the Film Scoring Summer Program. Tuition also includes the 6 university credits offered upon completion. Note: Your tuition includes a hotel room with a roommate, another member of the Film Scoring Summer Program. We do offer an option for students who wish to have their own room, for an additional amount as advertised on the homepage. If you are interested in this option, please specifically request it. What your tuition does not cover:

• Any Visa expenses, if applicable
• Travel arrangements to and from Varna
• Food expenses (lunch and dinner) during your stay

What is the Film Scoring Academy of Europe?

The Film Scoring Academy of Europe is the host of the Film Scoring Summer Program, also offering online Graduate programs and Masters programs in film and game scoring. Please visit the website above for more information. Special note: Alumni of the Film Scoring Summer Program are eligible for consideration for one of two scholarship opportunities offered by the Film Scoring Academy of Europe if they are admitted to the MFA program. More information on the Film Scoring Academy of Europe website above.

How will I get to the Cherno More Hotel from the Airport when I arrive in Varna?

There are two ways to get to the hotel from the airport: 1. Taxi (use the service desk in the airport and the price per trip should be about €6-€8 which is about 12-16 leva) 2. A private car can be arranged for you -- please inquire about this option. Price per trip: 20 leva. More information will be distributed to participating students closer to the summer.

What is the experience level of the other participants?

We have developed this program to welcome composers of all ages and levels of skill or experience. Some of our students are musicians who have never composed for film, and others have some experience in composing for shorts or features. Some have music degrees, and some don't! If you already have some experience in composing music for film, this program will give you the opportunity to add 4 live-recorded original compositions to your portfolio, and refine your skills in composition, mockups, DAW and notation software. And if you've never composed music for film, we'll be starting from scratch to introduce you to the process!

#2: Participation Terms and Conditions

All payments are subject to the following Participation Terms and Conditions: The Film Scoring Summer Program reserves the right to cancel any composer's participation if it is deemed that the composer does not meet the following requirements. Composers must possess the ability to read and notate music. If you can't read music, unfortunately you'll not be successful on the Film Scoring Summer Program, as this is a foundation all composers must have in order to orchestrate their music for our ensembles. Composers must possess some basic orchestration or arranging skills. Composers must possess some basic skills in notation software (Sibelius, Finale, or Dorico) and a DAW (Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer, Ableton, etc.) The Film Scoring Summer Program uses Sibelius and Logic Pro X for all lectures. Composers must own and bring the following technological requirements:

• A laptop (preferably a Macbook Pro) OR portable desktop with display
• A small MIDI Keyboard
• Notation Software (Sibelius, Finale, or Dorico)
• DAW (Logic, Cubase, Digital Performer, Ableton, etc.)
• Sound libraries (New to this? Try the East West Composer Cloud!)

Is there a minimum age requirement to participate?

Yes, the minimum age to participate in the Film Scoring Summer Program is 18 years.

What is the exact schedule?

Friday, July 2, 2021 - Arrival day and Hotel Check-in (9:00pm Introductory Meeting) Saturday, July 3 - Week 1 Begins Tuesday, July 6 - Recording Session #1 (Solo Piano) Sunday, July 11 - Recording Session #2 (String Quintet + 2 Clarinets) Monday, July 12 - Celebrity Composer Week Begins Sunday, July 18 - Recording Session #3 (21-piece String / Piano / Harp Ensemble) Monday, July 19 - Week 3 Begins Sunday, July 25 - Recording Session #4 (38-piece Symphony Orchestra) Wednesday, July 28 - Final Day Thursday, July 29 - Departure Day and Hotel Check-out Your hotel stay is included in your tuition for check-in on Friday, July 2, 2021 and check-out on Thursday, July 29, 2021. If you would like to come earlier or depart later, you can pay for additional nights in your room. Please inquire about this option.

#1: Financial Terms and Conditions

All payments are subject to the following terms and conditions: The €350 deposit is non-refundable. The €350 deposit is included in the total tuition amount of the enrolling composer, which means if a composer deposits at the €3,700 price level via the €350 deposit, total tuition left remaining to be paid is €3,350. Tuition is fully refundable if the composer cancels prior to May 15th, 2021. If a composer cancels on or after May 15th, 2021 (GMT+3), the tuition is non-refundable. Remaining tuition amounts from enrolled composers are due before May 15, 2021. The Film Scoring Summer Program reserves the right to cancel any composer's participation if the tuition is not paid in full prior to this date. In this event, tuition paid up until this date will be refunded, less the non-refundable deposit. The composer must decide which hotel arrangement they want: a shared room with one other participant, or a single room. The corresponding prices are listed on the main page. A single room can be shared with the composer's spouse. Tuition covers the composer's hotel stay for a check-in on July 2, 2021 and a check-out on July 29, 2021. If the composer needs additional nights in the hotel before or after the program, they can arrange this in advance with the staff of the Film Scoring Summer Program and pay in cash upon arrival. Composers will receive our discounted rate in the Cherno More Hotel if they need additional nights outside of the included dates.

Can I conduct my own music on the recording sessions?

The answer to this question is determined on an individual basis with our Executive Director and conductor, Derek Gleeson. If you would like to have the opportunity to conduct your own music, you should inquire about this option. You may be asked to provide examples of your conducting work in the past. Keep in mind - many composers who are also conductors in the film music industry still opt to stay in the booth for their session and let someone else conduct their music. It is not possible to hear all of the details you need to hear while you're in the live room, and you may rather stay in the booth with the recording engineer and score supervisor to ensure you get exactly what you're looking for in terms of a performance!

What about the 6 university credits?

The Film Scoring Summer Program is a 3.5 week / 6 credit summer course offered through European Academy of Fine Arts / Irish American University, an accredited institution of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in the United States. All composers who successfully complete the Film Scoring Summer Program will automatically be conferred 6 transferrable university credits from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education in the United States. 6 Middle States credits transfer to approximately 12 ECTS credits. The receiving institution ultimately decides how many ECTS credits are transferrable.

#3: Covid-19 Policy for 2021

If you have enrolled in the 2021 Film Scoring Summer Program and we are forced to make alterations to this program due to the Covid-19 pandemic, you will be given options about how to proceed. We will have a 2021 Film Scoring Summer Program online if the pandemic forces us to do so. This will be at a discounted rate, over the same duration as listed on the website, with the same course content and recording sessions, and for the same 6 university credits. But, all online! In the event that we have to move the Summer Program online, your options will be: 1. You can opt to have a full refund if your enrollment, including the program deposit. 2. You can opt to move your program deposit to the 2022 Summer Program. 3. You can choose to participate in our ONLINE Film Scoring Summer Program, which will be at a discounted rate and will include all of the content, recording sessions and university credits that the in-person program did.